Microsoft Launches 'Pay as You Go' PC Trials

Microsoft is continuing to pursue its vision of "a PC on every desk in every home." But it's not going the $100 PC route. Microsoft's latest method for achieving that end, FlexGo, takes a page from cell phone and cable playbooks.

The new pay-as-you-go program and associated metering technology that enables it are known collectively as "FlexGo." In partnership with a handful of hardware, telecommunications, retail and financial services partners, Microsoft is launching this week full-fledged FlexGo trials in Brazil and will add trials in India, China, Russia and Mexico within the month, Microsoft officials said.

Microsoft and its partnerswhich include Advanced Micro Devices, HSBC Bank Brasil, Infineon Technologies, Intel, Lenovo, Phoenix Technologies and Transmeta, as well as local service providers in several countriesare testing FlexGo in two different ways.

Via one set of trials, users, after making an initial down payment on a midrange PC, will be able to buy time and make payments on their PC using prepaid cards, similar to those sold by cell phone makers in various countries. Users will pay for the time they use their PCs, much the way individuals do now in Internet cafes. An alert on users' desktops will show them how much computing time they have available before they need to add more credit.

In the other set of subscription trials, users will make initial down payments on midrange PCs and make monthly payments of software and broadband services from their local service providers, akin to the way many users pay cable providers for TV and software access today.

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless
you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize
cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the
annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all
unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead. Contact Customer Service

//our current issue

Select Term:

24 issues for $29.99 ONLY $1.25 an issue! Lock in Your Savings!

12 issues for $19.99ONLY $1.67 an issue!

State

Country

This transaction is secure

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless
you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize
cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the
annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all
unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead. Contact Customer Service